Update to FNR Open Access Policy

The Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) is announcing an update to its Open Access (OA) policy, which will take effect 1 August, 2025.  

The FNR remains deeply committed to the core principles of Open Access. We firmly believe that research publications resulting from public funding are a common good and should be freely accessible to accelerate scientific discovery, enhance visibility, and foster collaboration. Our definition of Open Access continues to be guided by the Berlin Declaration, advocating for unrestricted online access to read and reuse research.  

This policy evolution is designed to offer greater flexibility and to align our requirements more closely with the diverse practices of the research institutions we support. Moving forward, the FNR’s primary approach will be to align with the OA policies of our grant recipients’ host institutions. The FNR will no longer enforce a separate OA mandate if the researcher’s host institution does not have one. 

Key elements of the updated 2025 policy include: 

• Increased Flexibility: We are lifting previous restrictions to better accommodate the needs of our research community. Publications in hybrid OA journals are once again eligible for FNR funding, and embargo periods are permitted without restriction.  

• Freedom of Licensing: The FNR will no longer impose specific licensing requirements. Researchers are free to select the license that is most appropriate for their work and discipline.  

• Optional Rights Retention: The use of a Rights Retention Statement in manuscripts is now recommended but optional.  

While our mandate is now aligned with institutional policies, our commitment to promoting open science as a best practice remains. We strongly encourage all FNR-funded researchers to share their findings as openly as possible. We continue to recommend publishing via Gold, Diamond, or Green Open Access routes and suggest a CC BY 4.0 license for maximum dissemination.  

These updates are intended to provide a supportive and practical framework for our research community. The FNR is dedicated to fostering an environment where research can achieve the greatest possible impact on science and society.  

We trust that these changes will empower researchers to continue producing world-class science while embracing the principles of openness in a way that best suits their work.